Paul E. Treaster Sr.

April 18, 2013

YEAGERTOWN - Paul E. Treaster Sr., 95, of 13 N. Mann Ave., Yeagertown, passed away at midnight April 16, 2013, at his home, with his family by his side.

Born Nov. 29, 1917, on Thanksgiving Day, in Yeagertown, he was the only child of the late John Z. and Hannah R. (Snook) Treaster. His wife of 54 years, Bessie G. (Taylor) Treaster, preceded him in death on Sept. 13, 1996.

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Paul was a very supportive father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his family. He gave love even when love seemed lost.

Paul was a Boy Scout in his youth.

He was 1935 graduate of Yeagertown High School. After graduation, he worked as a clerk at Standard Steel, Burnham, and for Wise Grocery, Yeagertown. He also laid tar on the Belleville road.

He joined the National Guard 166th Field Artillery Band in 1939. He was a drummer, ranked private for two years and was discharged due to illness.

He drove bread truck for Russell McCardle, of Lewistown, and met his wife on his route. She flagged him down for a whoopie pie. They married on April 5, 1942.

He returned to work for Standard Steel as a clerk. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and was honorably discharged from 565th AAF BU, Reno, Nev., in 1945, ranked sergeant.

He learned to play table tennis and darts in Reno and played on and off with the men's group at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Burnham, in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

After military service, he worked for Standard Steel, learning to turn metal tires until taking a position in the U.S. Post Office, Lewistown, where he was a mail carrier for 33 years, retiring on Sept. 1, 1978.

He was nicknamed Buzzy by fellow postal coworkers and dressed as Santa for seasonal fun while delivering mail. In total, he worked 36 years with the U.S. government.

He was a lifetime member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

After retirement, he played for eight years with the Lewistown String Ensemble.

He played violin for the symphony orchestra, of Lewistown, from 1935 to 1943 and played for Carl Stade Orchestra at the TWA Hall, Lewistown, until 1948. He also played in the orchestra at Holy Communion Lutheran Church.

He drove school bus for Mifflin County after retirement for 16 years.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 90, Lewistown, for 65 years, was the oldest member of the Yeagertown Fire Co., driving the Blue Goose fire truck in his earlier years, was a lifelong member of the Holy Community Lutheran Church, Yeagertown, served on the church council, choir and men's group, taught Sunday school at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Yeagertown, for more than 50 years and also at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Burnham, in the 1960s for 11 of those years. He was president of United Cerebral Palsy in the 1980s, participated in carrying the torch for Relay For Life from time to time, helped at the Yeagertown voting polls early in life and was a registered voter for more than 65 years.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Yeagertown, with the Rev. Philip Tundel officiating.

A viewing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Barr Funeral Home Inc. 120 Logan St., Lewistown, and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, at the church.

Memorial contributions in Paul's memory may be made to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, North Main Street, P.O. Box 429 Yeagertown, PA 17099, or to MEDI Home Health and Hospice, 310 S. Main St., P.O. Box 464, Yeagertown, PA 17099-9709.